Method and apparatus for stimulating hair growth

ABSTRACT

A laser device for stimulating a body region to promote hair growth is disclosed. The laser device includes a housing structure, a plurality of pins, a plurality of laser modules, and a microcontroller. The housing structure includes a removable head assembly. The pins are configured to stimulate the body region. The laser modules are configured to provide laser energy to the body region. The microcontroller is configured to control the plurality of laser modules at a selected power, pulse levels and pulse durations. The pins and lasers are mounted through holes in the housing structure.

BACKGROUND

There are many known methods for treating thinning hair or alopecia(human hair loss) including topical creams and surgical implants. One ofthe most recent developments is the use of Low Level Laser Therapy(LLLT). The basic principle behind LLLT is that light can affect cellfunctions by increasing blood and lymph circulation to the hair roots,removing blockages around the hair bulb, and energizing the hair root totake in nutrients faster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a laser device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the laser device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side internal view of the laser device according toFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary schematic of the laser device accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a matrix illustrating power consumption data for a laserdevice having three laser modules;

FIG. 6 shows a matrix illustrating power consumption data for a laserdevice having five laser modules;

FIG. 7 shows a matrix illustrating power consumption data for a laserdevice having nine laser modules; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the functionality of a laser deviceaccording to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for the application of stimulating hair growth(hair Rejuvenator module) using a hand held, cordless, battery operateddevice is provided. The device includes a plurality of laser modulesconfigured to stimulate the hair, follicles, papilla, and surroundingtissue cells of a body region by providing free space coherent lightenergy in the form of low level laser therapy (LLLT). Body regions mayinclude, but are not limited to, head, arms, legs, and chest. However, acommon region for stimulating hair growth is the head, where thetreatment region includes the hair, follicles, skin and scalp. Thedevice further includes a plurality of pins selectively positioned withrespect to each laser module to provide further hair, tissue andcellular stimulation to increase blood circulation and stimulate hairgrowth, and to space the laser modules an appropriate distance way fromthe body region being treated.

In one embodiment, the functionality of the lasers is controlled by amicrocontroller that pulses the lasers according to severalpreprogrammed pulsing schemes at various power levels. By programmingthe pulsing intervals of the lasers and the operating voltage to thelasers modules, the current drain and hence the power dissipation isreduced, thereby extending the battery life of the laser device, whilestill providing the desired stimulation and treatment.

In another embodiment, the laser device has a modular and removable headassembly that the user may interchange. In this way, the laser devicecan provide LLLT in a variety of different wavelengths of light (WOL),power and pulse duration's to treat conditions other applications otherthan hair loss. In other words, to stimulate hair growth the wavelengthof the laser energy is typically within the range of 630-670 nanometers(nm). To treat the skin for wrinkle reduction the wavelength of thelaser energy is generally in the 525-540 nm wavelength range. Differenthead assembly modules with a quick disconnect are therefore provided ina number of different wavelength ranges to accommodate a wide variety oftreatments. For example, there may be assemblies directed todermatological uses, skin rejuvenation, tanning, acne, hair removal,arthritis, pain, acupuncture, and massage. In alternative embodiments,the removable interchangeable head assembly modules may not have aspecified wavelength range but may be a variety of specific wavelengthsin the same head assembly module.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary laser device having a head assembly, anLCD display, a control touch pad, and a battery compartment. The laserdevice housing, as best shown in FIG. 2, includes a top upper housingportion and a bottom lower housing portion. The head assembly, LCDdisplay, battery compartment and control touch pad collectivelyrepresent the top upper portion of the housing structure. The bottomlower portion of the housing serves primarily as a cover to seal theinternal components of the laser device. The housing is generally madeof plastic; however, other rigid materials may be suitable.

Referring to FIG. 1, the head assembly includes a plurality of holes formounting pins, sensors, lasers diodes and laser modules. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, there are four pins selectively positioned withrespect to five lasers. However, any number of pin and lasercombinations are contemplated. The pins in the head assembly arecontractible compression spring type and mounted onto a head assemblyprinted circuit board. The pins are configured for additional tissuestimulation to increase blood circulation and also serve as a mechanismto regulate the distancing between the laser apertures and the bodyregion being treated and also can be utilized as a sensory transducer.By maintaining the distance between the emanating aperture of the lasersand the body region subjected to treatment, the optimum amount of laserenergy is appropriately distributed without maximizing the intensity ofthe laser energy and over-exposing the body region exposed to treatment.By selectively combining the pins and laser modules, a treatment regionis defined wherein the laser energy is distributed to a substantiallyundisturbed portion of the body region being treated. More specifically,the pins and laser modules are mounted with respect to one another suchthat the pins never lead or follow the path of the laser beams. In anexemplary embodiment wherein the treatment application is hair growthstimulation and the region being treated is the head, the treatmentregion includes the hair, follicle, skin, scalp, and surroundingtissues, not just the scalp. Additionally, the pins may include ringmagnets that magnetizes the pins for further stimulation whileattracting unwanted debris and contaminates. In an exemplary embodimentwherein the treatment region is the head, the treatment region includesthe hair, follicle, skin, scalp, and surrounding tissues, not just thescalp. The pins may also incorporate and induce a gentle electro pulsehigh voltage to the treatment area for additional stimulation. Inaddition sensory devices like themistor or thermal couples may beincorporated or connected to the metal pins for impedance, ohmic, thermomeasurements.

Each laser module in the head assembly includes a laser diode, a photodiode, a power control circuit, a lens, and a housing that areselectively mounted into the head assembly interchangeable module. Theposition of the laser modules is dependent in part on the number oflaser diodes, laser modules, pins, motors and sensors that are installedin the head assembly module. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary side viewof the laser device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the mountingconfiguration of the laser modules in the head assembly. The PCBplatform on which the lasers, motors, sensors and pins are mounted ismodular. In this way, the entire laser assembly can be easilyinterchanged or removed by the user. In one embodiment, the lasermodules are mounted substantially perpendicular to the surface of thehead assembly such that the laser energy is directed substantiallydownward. In another embodiment, the laser modules are mounted in theholes at a predetermined angle to effectively adjust the area of thetreatment region.

The overall functionality of the laser modules is controlled by aninternal microcontroller that includes a CPU core, LCD driver, SRAM,timers, programmable ROM, alarm generators, oscillator, timer/counterswith pre-diver circuits and I/O ports. The microcontroller is configuredto selectively be programmed and controls the laser diodes, modules,motors, electro pulse voltage at different power densities and pulseintervals and durations. In this way, the overall voltage and currentconsumption is reduced, thereby extending the battery life of the laserdevice, yet still maximizing the laser energy for LLLT treatment in apulsed mode. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary schematic of the device andthe corresponding peripheral components. Additionally, FIGS. 5-7illustrate the power consumption for exemplary laser devices having 3,5, and 9 laser modules per device, respectively. Similarly, Exhibits Aand B illustrate a battery power consumption matrix detailing the powerconsumption of a laser device having three and five laser modules,respectively. Further, a motor circuit may be implemented into the laserdevice that vibrates the contractible pins to massage the tissue foradditional blood circulation and to loosen debris and contamination fromclogged pores and hairfollicles.

Functionally, the laser device operates in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 8. In step 100, the power on/off button on the controltouch pad is selected to turn on the laser device. In conjunction, alight emitting diode (LED) power “on” indicator on the upper housing(top) of the laser device turns on providing a visual verification thatthe laser device is active. In addition, selecting the power on/offbutton powers the LCD display. Once the power has been turned on in step100, an approximate five second delay is initiated at step 102 while thelaser device awaits a power level, pulse level, and time mode selectionfrom the user. Generally, the user has five power levels and five pulselevels from which to select. With respect to a time interval, the usermay select either a continuous time mode for up to an hour, or a five,ten or fifteen minute time interval settings. If the approximately fivesecond delay expires without a selection being made, the laser devicedefaults to the last known selection. The order in which a power, pulse,or time selection is made is not germane to the functionality of thelaser device.

At step 104, the user selects a power level by selecting the “power”button on the control touch pad. The power levels are pre-programmedinto the microcontroller and may be dependent on the number of lasermodules in a specific laser device. In an exemplary device, however,power level one is programmed at 2.4 volts. Each additional power levelrepresents an incremental increase with respect to power level one. Inone embodiment, the incremental increase per power level is 100millavolts. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that theincremental power levels, as well as the base power level one is avariable that may be adjusted depending on the specifications of theapplication and the laser device.

At step 106, the user selects a pulse level by selecting the “pulse”button at the control touch pad. The pulse level in general representsthe number of laser pulses and the pulse duration applied to thetreatment region per second. In an exemplary embodiment, pulse level oneis programmed to two pulses per second. For each increase in pulselevel, the number of pulse per second is increased by one. For example,pulse level two represents three pulses per second and pulse level threerepresents four pulses per second. Similar to the power level settings,one of ordinary skill in the art understands that the pulse levelsettings and the pulse duration are adjustable and programmable at thefactory and dependent on the specific laser device application. Inaddition, the frequency of the laser pulses may be modified by adjustingthe pulse width duration or by modulating the pulse width. Pulsing thelasers modules advantageously reduces thermal runaway and powerconsumption of the laser modules thereby contributing to the extendedbattery life of the laser device. In addition, by pulsing the lasermodules the cells, tissues, hair papilla, follicles and hair are allowedto rest and resonate, which has been shown to increase the effects ofthe cellular stimulation, which aids and promote cellular regenerationand hair growth.

At step 108, the user selects a timer function by selecting either the“timer” button or the “C.Mode” button on the control touch pad. Byselecting the “timer” button, the user is able to select a five, ten orfifteen minute operation time intervals. In other words, if the userselects five minutes, the laser device will operate at the selectedpower and pulse level for five minutes. By selecting the “C.Mode”button, the user is able to customize the operation time interval;however, the maximum allotted treatment time is sixty minutes.

At the conclusion of a selected time interval, the auto off functioninitiates at step 110. This function begins timing at the completion ofa selected time interval and automatically turns off the laser deviceafter a five minute inactive period. This inactive time period may varyand is programmable at the factory with a warning alarm and may beadjusted depending on the specific laser device needs and applications.

The appendices (Appendix A and Appendix B) include exemplaryfunctionality, design and specifications information related to acurrent prototype of the hand-held laser device disclosed herein and area part of this disclosure.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it should beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to theembodiments of the invention described herein may be employed inpracticing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that themethod and system within the scope of these claims and their equivalentsbe covered thereby. This description of the invention should beunderstood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elementsdescribed herein, and claims may be presented in this or a laterapplication to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements.The foregoing embodiment is illustrative, and no single feature orelement is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed inthis or a later application. Where the claims recite “a” or “a first”element of the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood toinclude incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiringnor excluding two or more such elements.

1. A hand-held modular laser device for stimulating a body region to promote hair growth, comprising: a housing structure having a removable head assembly; a plurality of pins configured to stimulate the body region; a plurality of laser modules configured to provide laser energy to the body region; and a microcontroller configured to control said plurality of laser modules by pulsing said plurality of laser modules at a selected power, pulse levels and pulse durations; wherein said plurality of pins and said plurality of lasers are mounted through holes in said housing structure. 